Content

To purchase the following properties, as part
of the Southwick Voluntary Buy Back programme approved by AJSSC in
in
June 2023:
 

·        
2 Albion House, Southwick - £215,000

·        
3 Albion House, Southwick - £250,000

·        
14 Albion House, Southwick - £180,000

·        
9 Channel View, Southwick - £220,000

·        
31 Rock Close, Southwick - £215,000

·        
21 Sea House, Southwick - £240,000
 

Reasons for the decision

The AJSSC report approved in June 2023
proposed the acquisition of up to 10 homes on the Southwick Estate
to facilitate the redevelopment of the estate and to provide
temporary accommodation in the interim.  
 
To execute this programme, the Council
publicised to leaseholders that there was limited funding available
to purchase a number of leasehold flats at market value. 
Almost 30 applications were received and properties were assessed
by a Housing Officer and Adur Homes
Surveyor, as well as a New Affordable Homes Officer, in regards to
their suitability for purchase.  All properties were scored
against an agreed set of criteria. Independent valuations were
undertaken by a local agent and offers were put forward to
properties that were suitable and within the budget
available. 
 
The properties comprise 5 x 2-bed properties,
and 1 x 1-bed property. They will be used as temporary
accommodation. Housing Officers have approved all purchases and
confirmed there was an urgent need for these properties in order to
reduce expenditure on non-Council owned temporary accommodation
options such as nightly paid provision. 
 
The project is funded by retained right to buy
receipts, and borrowing.
 

Alternative options considered

The alternative is to do nothing, however the
project will use the right to buy receipts (which must be used
within 5 years of receipt to bring former Council homes back into
Council ownership, and it will reduce Council expenditure on
accommodating residents in non-Council owned temporary
accommodation.  If the Southwick Estate is regenerated, it
will also reduce the number of leasehold properties to be purchased
at a later date to enable any possible redevelopment.